Ford C-Max Complaints (2015)
72 consumer complaints on file.
- #11636375January 16, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford 2015 CMax Energi with 41,000 miles. I was driving on a 2 Lane Highway coming to a stoplight and had to press the brakes firmly to avoid an accident at which time my 2015 CMax Energi abruptly stopped w a growling noise,. The dashboard lit up like Christmas. I observed The ABS system/ABS module failure/malfunctioned lights. 2015 C Max Energi was available for inspection when I brought it to the dealership and verified it was ABS Module that had malfunctioned. I was told by the dealership for my safety and others not to drive the car. Sawgrass Ford retained my car for repairs. Sawgrass Ford as well as family and friends stated that my safety and the safety of others were at risk because of the obvious reliability of brake failure. Brake failure could lead to death to me and anyone else on the roads/highway. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer@ Sawgrass Ford Sunrise Florida. The vehicle and the component has been inspected by the dealership because it was repaired once the part , which took about 2 1/2 months due to parts being backorder from Ford Corporation. Ford has MANY previous ABS MODULE recalls on several of their MODELS, but the CMax Energi isn’t due to it not being a popular car. I’ve researched through the Internet and forums and found that this is a common problem for the CMax Energi. I retained the damaged parts and have them enclosed w photo of damaged parts and the box that contained the new parts. Additionally, when the brakes were applied the car lurch and jerked, and additionally, there was the “smelling of electrical burning “ Bright red warning lights. AAA was called an immediately was towed to the dealership around mid November. Dealership got in touch with me November 23 and ordered the part FV672C219. At that time I was told that the part would not be available and it was on backorder. Ford corporation 800-392-3673 and confirmed b/o
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11614265September 12, 2024AIR BAGS
Other vehicle impacted our car driver side at front fender/front door joint, continued rearward to rear fender. Airbags deployed, EXCEPT for driver side curtain airbag. Driver injured (fractured left ribs, left shin laceration, right hand laceration/burn, multiple bruised on arms, legs, thighs, left back upper shoulder area).
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11608735August 15, 2024POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle would downshift with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11585535April 26, 2024AIR BAGS
Had a front end collision airbags did not deploy car was total
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 3
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11585303April 25, 2024AIR BAGS
Had a front end collision air bags did not deploy
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11576201March 8, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2 issues 1) back-up camera has started to intermittently fail. Sometimes it displays when you start to back up then goes blank. 2) the driver side rear door is stuck shut. The inside panel binds against the door jam and prevents it from opening.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11564193January 8, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I bought this vehicle in 2018. For the next 6 years, I lived in an area where I was unable to plug it in to a wall to charge, so used it as a hybrid. Now, I have a house and when I plugged it in for several hours, it melted the plug and nearly started an electrical fire. Upon further investigation, I found the serial number to the charger that was included with purchase as the factory-issued charger, matches a known recall due to fire safety hazard, but my VIN does *not* match the recall. At the time of purchase I was informed the charger was not the factory original but "everything would be okay." I have contacted the dealership that sold it to me and they won't take responsibility for not only selling me a faulty piece of charging equipment, but also failing to inform me about a recall that impacted it, and only through sheer luck and me noticing the outlet was starting to melt, it didn't start an electrical fire in my house. Ford also refuses to take responsibility for it. My local Ford dealership confirmed that it's a recalled charger, but also said they can't process the recall because my VIN doesn't match it, and confirmed it was not the correct charger to be sold with that car. I already had the electrical outlet replaced, and didn't realize at the time that there may be a recall issue with the charger, but the charger is visibly scorched and melted and I can also get the statement from the electrician that the outlet was scorched. I can't afford to replace the charger, and Ford refuses to help me correct their mistake - which was both expensive and created a serious safety hazard for me. NOTE: File upload feature is not working, but I have photographs of the melted charger and it's serial number
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11538439August 14, 2023POWER TRAIN
A low rumbling noise seemingly situated at the right front (passenger) tire started with no warning approximately two months prior; no warning lights came on, the car did not change its driving--only a low rumbling noise which increased in revolutions with acceleration and quietened with braking and when in neutral--emerged. I subsequently took the car to a local mechanic to evaluate if the brakes were failing but in his diagnosis, he thought the likely cause to be internal to the transmission--a finding now confirmed by two other mechanics, including the Ford dealership. However, in researching this issue, a Technical Service Bulletin (20-2219) outlining this known issue with the transmission of the 2013-2016 Ford C-max built before August 2015 (mine was built in April 2015) popped up, issued June 2020. My car is now marginally outside of warranty at 112,000 miles but this known issue is one that makes the car a danger to drive-both to myself and other drivers on the road-as no warning has come on, the sound is deceptively benign and yet if the transmission fails while on a highway or other fast-paced motorway, there could be a significant accident that ensues. Given that Ford is aware of this fault in their transmission builds with no prior warning to owners of these cars, this puts road safety of the C-max driver/passengers and others concurrently on the road at significant risk. I am baffled as to why this issue has not been recalled given its severity and the risk of it occurring just outside of warranty when costs to replace the transmission are exorbitant.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11534766July 27, 2023VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that upon shifting to park, the vehicle accelerated forward unintendedly. The vehicle ran over the curb and crashed into the handicap sign. The fuel tank detached during the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated. The fire department was on the scene. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire, air bag deployment, or injury. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11534478July 25, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear drivers side door opened unexpectedly going around a turn and did not re-latch after it was closed. The door opened and slammed closed going around a turn and injured my son sitting in the back seat. The child locks on the door were still engaged during the incident and after. This is the second time it has happened. Both days were close to 100 degrees in temperature. The door intermittently does not latch.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11496815December 9, 2022SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated that when she entered the vehicle, she noticed the rear passenger seat belt was not long enough to latch. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not yet taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis and repairs. The manufacturer was made aware and advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489262October 14, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
Outside brake lights stayed on after car was turned off. I see recalls on other 2015 Ford models for the same issue but mine is not on the list and I have to pay $748 for the repair.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11485321September 19, 2022WHEELS
lug nuts deteriorating
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11474531July 18, 2022POWER TRAIN
The contact owned a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated upon parking and turning off the vehicle by a river, the vehicle later rolled away into the river. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact was able to extract the vehicle out of the river with the assistance of professionals. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) which she associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11473552July 12, 2022POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear became difficult. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11473402July 11, 2022EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-MAX. The contact stated that the red hazard light would intermittently appear on the charger cable while charging the vehicle. The contact changed the charging outlet; however, the failure returned overtime. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V592000 (Equipment) which she linked to the failure; however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The consumer stated the dealer plugged the charge chord to the vehicle and verified the red blinking light when vehicle is charging.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11472338July 5, 2022STEERING
As I was driving I lost power steering and almost crashed the car. A red alert and sound on the dashboard told me “steering assist failure service vehicle”. Also the light on the dashboard for steering was illuminated. I was able to barely drive the car home (approx 3 miles). Took to my local mechanic and had the error code: u3000 49-08 Driving the car by my husband in our neighborhood resulted in the same problem including the warning sounds and message. He was able to restart the car and the steering was fine and was able to drive it back to its parking spot. Took the car to the Sheehy Ford dealer today and am being told it is a 3k repair to replace the rack and pinion.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11469819June 17, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that the manufacturer label indicated that the vehicle was drivable for 22 miles when fully charged; however, the vehicle was only drivable for approximately 14 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that occasionally, the vehicle was only drivable for 8 miles. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure was related to the tires. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11450886February 7, 2022STEERING
I was driving on the freeway when my power steering failed. Ford has switched to an Electronic Steering Control system and it has had multiple class action suits against them, however no recalls have been done. I nearly ran off the road because when I turned off the freeway it took all of my strength to correct the wheel. There was no warning, just full failure and alerts on my dash board. This is a known problem and needs to be corrected. Not only that, it is a $3000 repair job on a known problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445380December 29, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle it was discovered that the horn was inoperable and inaudible. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the horn was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 108,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0